November 2, 2026

By Jon Feyen
ScoutU

When you’re one of the top catchers in the nation, the recruiting process moves quite fast. NCAA Division I programs were allowed contact with Gabby Jones on September 1st, and just five weeks later, she’d received three offers and talked with many schools. Jones then verbally committed to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

“I am overjoyed that I have an opportunity to play D1 softball, and even happier it’s going to be at Weber State!” Jones said. “It’s the perfect size for me and is right up on a mountain. I also love the coaches – they are all very detail-oriented, and I loved their use of journaling. I am close enough to home that my parents can come watch me play.”

Jones, ranked the #24 catcher in the country by Extra Innings Softball, has been named All-Region and won a Gold Glove while also hitting .425 at the plate. The key to her recruitment was getting in front of coaches early in the process.

“After enrolling with ScoutU, I got lots of phone calls and emails,” Jones said. “By the time I committed, I had calls with nine different colleges and four visits. I had a lot of emails after each nationwide and regional exposure. The interaction back and forth built relationships, got me to camps or got the coaches to my games and showcases to watch me play. I received three total offers from Sept. 1 – Oct. 8, when I made my final decision. It was a tough decision because they were all really great programs, but I knew Weber State is where I wanted to be at the end of the day. It checked all the boxes for me.”

Growing up in California, Jones has been dedicated to softball since age 7. She also earned a 3.9 GPA while being involved in multiple extra-curricular activities at Sutter Union High School.

“What stood out about Gabby was her ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball,” ScoutU’s Susan Kemper said. “She’s an exceptional catcher with a high softball IQ, outstanding defensive skills and an incredible 1.79 pop time. Her ability to manage pitchers, control the running game and lead from behind the plate make her a valuable asset. Gabby approached the recruiting process with the same dedication and maturity she brings to the field. Her strong athletic and academic foundation, combined with her leadership and commitment to the game, positioned her as a highly attractive prospect.”

Kemper’s expertise began with guiding her own daughter through the recruiting process, resulting in multiple full-ride offers. Now she takes great pride in leading dozens of young prospects to finding the best college opportunity.

“Susan Kemper was available throughout the process as we needed her,” Gabby’s dad David said. “There were several occasions that I reached out to Susan to ask her opinion about camps, phone calls, offers, etc. She always provided sound advice and a unique perspective that was outside of our own coaches and travel ball organization. It’s always good to have good people in your corner when you’re going through something for the first time. I believe that ScoutU gave Gabby a strong foundation and jumpstart on the exposure and communication she needed to be successful in the recruiting process. Getting recruited as a high school athlete is more difficult now than ever before with all the changes – and I am thrilled that my daughter was able to navigate through this, trust the process and land at her number-one option, Weber State. Go Wildcats!”